As the winter season approaches, many families are looking for ways to save some extra money for the holidays. Heating bills over the winter can be challenging to budget for, and home maintenance costs can skyrocket during the cold season.

There are many simple tips that homeowners can follow to help lower their bills and protect the environment. Many families are embracing a green lifestyle, reducing energy usage, and minimizing their CO2 emissions. In addition to protecting the environment, many green home maintenance programs will lower gas and electricity bills. Here are several ideas for homeowners looking for ways to save while staying green.

Make sure that air conditioning units have a clean air filter in them. Many central AC units have an air intake with a cardboard or fiberglass filter. Over time, dust and other debris can clog this filter, putting extra pressure on the central AC fan system. It’s important to replace an air filter at least every three months, and more often if the home environment is dusty.

Check around the home to see there are any electronic devices wasting electricity. There are simple electrical monitors that homeowners can buy to monitor electricity usage. These devices look like a 1 outlet surge protector, and measure all the electrical current going through a plug. Many electronic devices continue to use electricity when turned off, and can increase a homeowner’s power bill by 30%. Devices such as TVs, cell phone chargers, stereo systems, and other electronics continue to use power when turned off, or in standby mode. Any devices using an excessive amount of electricity should be unplugged when not in use. For a home theater system, it’s a good idea to turn off the 6 prong surge protector after watching television. All the devices in a home theater system can pull several hundred watts of electricity in standby mode, the equivalent of half a dozen 50 watt light bulbs.

The planet earth has a limited supply of fresh water. Many home appliances and fixtures waste water, often when not in use. Many older toilets use several gallons of water per flush, and leak water even when not in use. Installing a new toilet can be a great way to save energy and help the environment. This may be as simple as a call to one of the many certified local plumbing companies.

There are many simple steps homeowners can take to go green. In addition to helping the environment, many homeowners can reduce their monthly utility bills by following these simple tips.